Dr Martie Landman and Associates

09/02/2023

MEASLES VACCINATIONS
A lot of you have been asking us about the Measles booster drives that have been happening at your creches, playschools and schools. These are being offered because of the measles outbreak in South Africa.
We absolutely recommend that your kids get the booster jabs, as this will help boost their (and your) immunity!

We've also been asked how soon after the last injection can your baby get boosted?
The answer is 1 month. So, if you have been diligent with your baby's immunisations and your baby is older than 13 months - please boost!
It then goes without say that all kids older than 2 should get a booster.

05/02/2023

Long Covid is a real problem. Here is an article which explains some of the issues.

28/01/2023

Ladies- It’s so important to look after your pelvic floor . This workshop is a must.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=634637685327955&set=a.523115426480182&type=3&mibextid=l066kq

LADIES - join us at Roosevelt for this workshop. We will watch your children while Lou shares her knowledge and expertise.

19/01/2023

Here is an article from Dr Karin. This article tries to address questions about Covid and the need for ongoing vaccination.

Covid vaccine 4th Booster - Go For It!
Dr Karin van der Merwe
# GGPC
# VoicesThatCare
# VaxWithUs

Covid has thankfully died down and we are tempted to believe that it is no longer a problem. In reality, Covid is still circulating and people are still being hospitalised and even dying from Covid, albeit at much lower rates than earlier in the pandemic. New variants continue to emerge. The latest of these called Kraken is a sub variant of Omicron and while being very contagious, seems no more severe than Omicron. The decline in Covid numbers are due to higher levels of population immunity in part due to vaccination and in part due to herd immunity - the fact that so many South Africans have had Covid that they now have immunity.

Should we continue to receive Covid vaccines?
I believe the answer is YES. Studies show that up to 4 doses is safe and effective. Remember that immunity from a vaccine starts to wane after about 6 months. We need to keep our immunity levels high to prevent severe Covid infections.

If you have received 3 vaccines already - Pfizer or Johnson&Johnson - you are eligible for a fourth. This is especially important for immunocompromised patients, people over 50 years (and especially the elderly), patients with comorbidities which predispose to more severe Covid, pregnant women, institutionalised patients and health care workers. I recommend that all my patients have a fourth vaccine.

What about bivalent vaccines?
The new Bivalent vaccines have been designed to better develop immunity to the Omicron variant in addition to the original Covid variant which was the target of the original monovalent vaccines. Bivalent vaccines have been shown to cause higher levels of immunity in the blood to Omicron than previous vaccines. It is not yet known whether this immunity will result in greater protection from the current variants of Covid, of which Omicron is still the most prevalent variant. The recommendation is that these be used as a booster Covid vaccine and not as the primary vaccine. Bivalent vaccines are currently only available in affluent areas such as North America, UK and Europe. South Africa does not yet have bivalent vaccines. The current WHO guidelines state that the fourth booster dose should be given with whichever vaccine is available. For South Africa, this is the monovalent vaccine at present.

So in conclusion: let’s keep our immunity levels high by having frequent Covid vaccinations. Eventually, I predict we will be having annual Covid vaccination much like we have annual influenza vaccination. Vaccination is an excellent tool to keep the Covid pandemic at bay. Use the following link to find your closest vaccination centre: https://findmyjab.co.za/

12/12/2022

We are starting to feel festive at Dr Martie Landman and Associates!

30/11/2022

A gentle reminder about why you are utterly exhausted…

No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the vicious onslaught of the previous two years (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021… frazzled, spent, running on aged adrenaline fumes…

We crawled into 2022 still carrying shock, trauma, grief, heaviness, disbelief… The memories of a surreal existence…

And then it began… The fastest hurricane year we could ever have imagined. Whether we have consciously processed it or not, this has been a year of more pressure, more stress, and a race to “catch up” in all departments… Every. Single. One. Work, school, sports, relationships, life…

Though not intentionally aware, perhaps hopeful that the busier we are, the more readily we will forget… the more easily we will undo the emotional tangle… the more permanently we will wipe away the scarring wounds…

We can’t.

And attempts to re-create some semblance of “normal” on steroids while disregarding that for almost two years our sympathetic nervous systems were on full alert, has left our collective mental health in tatters. Our children and teens are not exempt. The natural byproduct of fighting a hurricane is complete and utter exhaustion…

So before you begin questioning the absolutely depleted and wrung-dry state you are in- Pause. Breathe. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have endured. And then remind yourself of what you have overcome.

Despite it all, you’re still going. (Even on the days you stumble and find yourself face down in a pile of dirt).

Understanding brings compassion…

Most of the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment. Most are donning invisible “Handle with care” posters around their necks and “Fragile” tattoos on their bodies…

Instead of racing to the finish line of this year, tread gently. Go slowly.

Amidst the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Find compassion. Allow the healing. And most of all… Be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use just a little bit more of the healing salve of kindness.

With love
Naomi ♥️

26/11/2022

We recommend you have a COVID a vaccine every 6 months if possible! Note: over 50s now qualify for a 4th vaccine.
Go for it!

28/10/2022

Please support Emily- our practice’s brave little cancer fighter!

Hi! My name is Emily. I am 13 months old and from Johannesburg, South Africa. A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. My cancer is in the form of a Wilms

24/10/2022

Mental illness is real. Please come and consult us if you are experiencing mental health symptoms which are dysrupting your functioning. You have nothing to be ashamed of. We are here to help.

19/10/2022

We are a bit late in this post because September is childhood cancer awareness month but this is a cause close to our hearts. This post is dedicated to Emily- one brave little girl fighting a kidney tumour. We are praying for you and will support you in this journey!

If your child has any worrying lumps and bumps or is losing weight or looks pale, bring them for a checkup. Emily’s Mom noticed an unusual swelling is her tummy. She would like to encourage other parents to be vigilant in checking out any unusual signs in their kids.

(Posted with permission)

In September, we honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Read this article to learn why the childhood cancer awareness ribbon is gold and learn what you can do to help children with cancer.

30/09/2022

We thought you may be interested in this series of lectures being run by Life Poortview.

11/09/2022

We had a lovely lunch at The Goddess Cafe in Linden